Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2)

by Jenn Nixon

  The next several hours passed by in a blur. Security took Maorist and his crew into custody, three of them already dead by their own hand.

  Tiva stayed on the scout ship going over the details of their flight path, while Aries and Maar downloaded the computer core information and the engineering teams stripped the craft of all its technology.

  The crew moved the dead men back to the scout ship per Tiva’s request. When the captain was satisfied they’d confiscated everything they could, he ordered the crew back to the Tolox.

  A sigh of relief escaped Tiva’s lips as she exited the scout ship and walked down the corridor. It is good to be home. The statement, though surprising, was true. Tiva would have liked to rest in her own bed, but the captain had other ideas and called the staff to a meeting. Having no time to change, she entered the captain’s office in her Kihlmaro outfit.

  “All right, we have a lot to go over,” Maar said and turned to Aries.

  “First, welcome back, Ms. Boon,” he said with a slight bow of his head.

  She returned the gesture and sat back in her chair. The entire group was excited and energized. Ewan the engineer and Aliri smiled at her. Emerala and Raife waved half-heartedly as they continued to read the datarecorder information, her security teams standing around the room nodded, and Adam winked. Feeling her stomach tighten was not comforting, yet she knew her confession about Litru was inevitable.

  “Now, before we hear your story let’s find out what we’ve recovered from the Pizilite ship.”

  Ewan spoke first, “We were able to disconnect the wormhole device from the scout ship. So far, it appears to be operational and intact. The technology is compatible, it might be possible for us to replicate it, but I won’t know until we test it out further.”

  “Do whatever is necessary and use whomever you need,” Maar responded and turned to Aliri. “What’s on their sensor logs?”

  “I’m still going through them, nothing too interesting so far, just your normal stargrids and course alterations due to spatial anomalies. But I have plenty to go through.”

  “Captain, if I may…” the doctor said as he entered the room.

  “What is it Hino?”

  “We’ve had another death among the captives, the navigation specialist,” he huffed and flopped down in a chair. “If anyone is going to interrogate them, they better do it soon. Aside from sticking them behind a charge-field buck naked, I can’t prevent them from committing suicide.”

  “If that’s what it takes, do it,” Maar said then turned to the security detail. “Escort the Doctor back to the infirmary and take care of the prisoners. Do not harm them unless absolutely necessary.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Hino stood up and followed Ranndom, Hemko and the others out. Tiva felt for him, his aura was as tired as his appearance.

  “All right, what else do we have?”

  “I’ve only just begun to access the data we…uh…took from the ship,” Emerala began. “Raife and I will have the navigation logs and the computer data sorted out by the end of the day.”

  “What time and day is it?” Tiva asked. She hadn’t paid much attention since leaving Chomllie 5 and she was curious to know how long she’d been gone.

  “It’s Friday, December the f-first,” Aries answered.

  She’d been gone for almost three weeks. Doing the conversion in her head, she realized it was the middle of the Cooling season back home. Now would be a good time to contact Neola as the colder weather usually slowed down the activity around the planet. Lost in her head, she heard the captain ask for the remaining reports and turned to listen.

  “I have all the weapons and records in the cargo hold,” Adam stated. “I should be able to give them a once over and have a preliminary report in about a week.”

  “All the computer information is being sorted as we speak. I’ve only just started going through their communication transmissions. The last one sent to the scout ship was a request for an update…” Emerala trailed off allowing Tiva to finish.

  “Yes,” she said. “I responded with an automated distress call. That was the only thing I could do to give us more time. The closest Triune Syndicate ship is two days from this location with jumper ability.”

  “Jumper?” Aries’ brow arched.

  “That is what the Kihlmaro navigator called the wormhole maneuver,” Tiva answered. Glancing over to the captain, he dipped his head allowing her to continue. “They will come looking for the ship. I suggest we destroy the vessel with the already perished crew on board.”

  “Why?” Aliri asked. “I mean, they’re already dead…”

  “I found them to be very scrupulous. I have no doubts they will find the craft and scan the debris. If they find no organic material in their scans, they will know something was wrong. Several key people were hesitant about me and my story, though I did my best to tell them true facts.”

  “How true?” Adam asked.

  “I did not give them reason to doubt me, but they knew more about my planet than I was aware. So, it would be prudent of us to make sure they believe the vessel was destroyed along with everyone on board, including me. Since the Union is already at war with them it will seem the most reasonable.”

  “G-good point, I think it’s a sound idea, too.”

  “Will it be enough to divert their attention from you?” Adam asked ignoring everyone else.

  “With the state of their organization as it is now, I am not a priority.”

  “Can we get it done in the next hour?” Maar glanced at his crew, interrupting the exchange. Most bobbed their heads. “Fine, we’ll do that. What else did you learn, Chief?”

  “Their command base was twice the size of Ovvella. Maorist, the colonel we have in custody, was my first contact…”

  Tiva went through every detail of her mission, including her dinner with Anann, the interrogation, and finally her departure. Some asked questions, but nothing in depth, as she was very thorough. Aries estimated it would take the crew three to four weeks to go over the information completely, and scheduled everyone accordingly.

  When the final preparations on the scout ship were complete, Adam blasted it into a million pieces with the laser canon and the crew went back to work as if nothing had ever happened. Tiva and her team were responsible for reviewing Syndicate security measures, and categorizing all the displayer images from the scout database. Emerala was already working on the file they would be using. Everyone else had various tasks, most of which were technical and beyond her comprehension.

  It seemed that they had a good amount of information, though she was slightly disappointed she was unable to gain access to the stations main computer. Even a few minutes of her searching could have been helpful. Still the core of the scout ship had more than expected and would undoubtedly be useful to the Union.

  The Tolox was heading to another base this time. Ovvella, had been their stopping point many times, but as they were closer to Bizub Base, the Ambassadors ordered them there. The three-day journey, hopefully, would be quiet. Tiva could use the time to relax and refresh as well as sort out her feelings about the past.

  The day wore on. All of the command crew stayed at their station until midnight, working diligently. It had been five hours since someone mentioned any worthwhile data.

  Finally, Captain Maar stood up and stretched. Tiva paused to look over and met Adam’s eye. She feigned a smile and turned back to her station.

  “All right, I think we’ve had enough for today. Call up second shift. I want everyone to get some rest, report back at 0900 hours.”

  She was already on her second wind. There was no way sleep would find her. Her mind was overloaded with images from the Triune Syndicate, she was also monitoring Maorist and the weapons specialist in the detention cell, and the fact that she still had yet to talk to Adam was just another item that would keep her awake anyway. She was staying in the command center the choice was already made.

  The others began to exit when the bac
kup crew arrived. Aries turned back; she felt his stare but did not look up.

  “Dinner, m’lady?” Adam said as he suddenly appeared beside her.

  “Soon, I am almost through with this file.”

  “You’re working too hard.”

  Tiva smiled slightly as she met his gaze. “I only have a few left then I will eat and rest. I promise.”

  “All right, Cala and I will see you in the morning.” He kissed her cheek and grinned before exiting with Aries.

  It was somewhat of a relief to have those closest to her further away. Now able to lower her guard, she immediately felt the burden she’d been carrying.

  Adam was her main concern. She would not be able to avoid him this time…they had become too close.

  The computer beeped as the file completed. She sighed and glanced about the room. One of Aliri’s underlings smiled at her, she nodded back and tapped on her panel to call for her relief. Ranndom replied and appeared in the command center almost instantly.

  “I was waiting for your call. I figured you might have been on to something, everyone else left an hour ago.”

  “I wanted to finish up the file. I find it easier to complete a task rather then come back to it at another time,” Tiva answered.

  “Good point.” He grinned. “You know the guys want to have another spar session…and those junior crew members are really doing well under Hemko’s trainings. Think we should test them out soon?”

  “It would be prudent of us to do so. The Triune Syndicate is not going to give up easily.”

  “Well, the Union wants peace, if any one group can find a way, it’ll be them. I’ve seen enough tyrannical governments, religious sects, and leaders fall…but the Union has the best minds and negotiators, I’m sure they’ll be successful.”

  “I hope this information will help.” Tiva nodded and moved from the station. “The next file is ready for review…”

  “I’ll get right on it, Boon. I’ve been waiting to do something useful.”

  “Have a good night; I will see you in the morning.”

  Tiva slashed at the air then woke from her slumber. She was sitting in her living area. Sluggishly, she moved back to her bed and fell onto the covers. The display on her wall confirmed she’d been sleeping for only a couple hours, so she forced herself to try to doze off. An hour passed and she was still awake. The quiet drone of the ship was not enough to lull her back to sleep, so, she changed back into a uniform and made her way to the mess hall.

  Vinni smiled and waved as she walked over. Before she said a word, he placed a juice on the counter.

  “Thank you. May I have pancakes?”

  “What kind?”

  “I am unsure. I overheard Aliri order them once. She seems to fancy blueberry.”

  “All right, blueberry pancakes it is,” he said, smiled, and then vanished in the kitchen.

  Picking up the glass, Tiva sipped it then crossed the mess finding her favorite corner table waiting for her. As she sat, she wondered how much of the universe she had seen since leaving Abennelp. It was never a thought in her mind, as a child, that she would travel among the stars, let alone make a new home here.

  Vinni broke her thoughts by placing a plate down on her table. Several small containers and a bowl of butter pats filled his arms. She helped him then glanced back up.

  “What is all this?”

  “Syrup for the pancakes…you can’t eat them plain, it’s no fun that way.”

  “You sound like Adam,” she replied and tested each of the containers. Settling on the third, a deep rich flavor, she poured a bit on top of the stack and nodded to Vinni. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, enjoy.”

  Tiva picked at her food for a while, and when through, had only eaten one and a half pancakes, but finished three juices. Still having time before she needed to report in, she decided to take a walk in the arboretum. As she exited the mess, Aliri was heading her way.

  “Hey!”

  “Greetings, my friend.”

  “Did you eat?”

  “Yes, I had pancakes.” Tiva smiled.

  “Yummy…I think I’ll have some too.”

  “Enjoy,” she said and turned.

  “Whoa, wait…I haven’t seen you in like three weeks and all I get is ‘enjoy’? What’s wrong?” Aliri asked.

  “Why must something be wrong? I have eaten and I am going for a walk…”

  “Your bullshit doesn’t work with me,” Aliri grunted. “Come on, have another juice, and tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Very well.” Tiva followed her back into the mess. Vinni’s eyes questioned, but he didn’t ask. Moving back to the table, she sat down and waited for her friend. There was obviously no way around it, she had to tell Aliri something.

  With two drinks in hand, Aliri sat across from her and tilted her head to the side. “You really are out of it…did something happen on that base?”

  “Not exactly…”

  “Then tell me,” she prodded. Vinni appeared with another stack of pancakes, and smiled at Aliri. As he walked away, Tiva sighed and sat back against the chair.

  She unraveled the story of her first love, starting with their ride home from the palace. When she spoke of his death, the deep sadness filled her again. Aliri squeezed her hand, Tiva smiled and continued. She retold the incident at the pond, what she had done with the necklace, and looked to her friend. “I prayed to the spirits to make me forget.”

  “And did you…forget?”

  “Yes,” she answered. “Mostly I wanted to forget the pain…but I forgot everything about him. Litru deserved better than to be forgotten by the one who loved him. And I did, Aliri, with all my heart…”

  “I’m sure he loved you just as much, but why are you so troubled by it?”

  “I erased him from my memory. Every moment we spent together. Now that the memories have surfaced, I feel the tear in my heart. Aliri, how can I mourn for one lost love when I am in love with another?”

  “Er…”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well, give me a moment to wrap my brain around it…this isn’t one of those easy fixes, you know.”

  Tiva nodded and sipped her drink. She didn’t expect her friend to have any answers, but she was the one who asked to talk in the first place. Aliri was genuinely interested in her wellbeing, she was grateful to have such a good friend.

  “I must say, this one is tricky, but the key is to talk about it with Adam,” Aliri began, then took a bite of her food. “I mean, I know you know that Adam’s been in love before, it’s not uncommon. Not many people find true love the first time around. There’s a saying, you have to make out with frogs or something…” She shrugged and sipped her juice. “Everyone wants to believe in the fairy-tale life, Tiva, but there’s no such thing.”

  “I had planned on telling him, but I do not know how,” she whispered. “It was not by choice; losing Litru. Were he here now, I would be torn.”

  “Talk to him, Tiva.” Aliri put down her fork and folded her hands. Leaning back, she seemed to study her for a moment. “He’s been around, he’ll understand and probably try to help. Let him. Lord knows you never ask anyone for help.”

  “I may prove you wrong, my friend,” Tiva said with a smile. “The day may be sooner than I thought, and I will need you by my side.”

  “It’s been a long time coming, girl. I’ve just been patiently waiting.” Aliri winked and took another bite of her food. The conversation became less intense as a story of a birthday party of one of the engineers was retold. Aliri enjoyed passing on the gossip, and even witnessed Hemko and a young operations assistant dancing and hanging out together. Then the topic turned to the wedding. Aliri had managed to make most of the arrangements and ordered a dress for Tiva. All she and Ewan had to do was pick a location for the ceremony. “We’ll get married eventually, it’s no rush…neither of us is going anywhere,” she chuckled. “I’m going to head back and catch another hour or two before we have to get bac
k to work, I’m still tired.”

  “Enjoy your rest, my friend…and thank you for your advice.”

  “I’m always here, you know that.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Throughout the day, the crew worked diligently to get the vital data to Ovvella Base. Emerala used a relay as they were in range of Bizub Base, speeding up the transmission. The crew was through eighty percent of the data recovered from the Syndicate ship. They learned interesting information about their weapons, internal security protocols, and various sectors of space they had previously unknown allies. The engineering crew put the wormhole device back together and successfully tested it with a cargo ship. Tiva’s team found a few high priority messages in their database, but the most interesting thing was finding evidence of bad dealings with some planets. These planets were neutral, and possibly candidates for alliances with the Union.

  By the time Maar dismissed them it was late in the evening, and everyone looked forward to waking up docked at the base. Once again, Tiva couldn’t sleep, but instead of going to the mess, she needed some sense of solace, and so ventured to the arboretum, the only place on board where she could sometimes catch a sliver of that feeling.

  Circling around the brush and flowers, she wandered off the trail into the patch of trees and sat down underneath a willow. If this didn’t help, she could try the image of Te in the VR room.

  A breath of annoyance escaped her lips. Everything seemed out of reach, her home, peace, happiness, and love. Her fingertips had grasped the edges of each, only to lose her grip just when she was about to take comfort in them.

  “You seem lost, Ms. Boon,” a voice said softly.

  Immediately, she jumped to her feet, her hand moving to her side.

  “Easy now…” he chuckled. “I didn’t m-mean to startle you.”

  “I have yet to become accustomed to people sneaking up on me,” Tiva replied and relaxed. “Sometimes, I need to shut down and not pay attention to what I feel around me. It is not an easy task…”